With the recent violence on JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia campuses fresh in people's mind, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday sought to put the blame on the Centre while absolving the Delhi Police. Kejriwal, in a praising tone, said the Delhi Police is capable of maintaining law and order but is given instructions by the Central Government to "just stand and not take any action".
Speaking on the law and order situation in Delhi following the recent incidents of violence in the city, Kejriwal said it is not the Delhi Police's fault for not stopping the violence at the universities because they were following the orders they got."If Delhi Police gets order from above that you do not have to do anything to maintain law and order, what can Delhi Police do then," he said.
Kejriwal was speaking while presenting a report comparing the governance model of his government with that of the BJP-ruled MCD. "The Delhi Police is functioning along the same lines of the MCD. There are 90 per cent chances that the complaint will not be filed by the police in case of an emergency," he added.
"When we came to power, then hospitals and schools were in bad condition. We did not change the doctors or teachers as they were very capable. Political will is needed. (When) the order from above comes that you do not have to stop the violence, then they are forced to follow orders," he said.
When contacted, additional Public Relation Officer of Delhi Police Anil Mittal said that Delhi police being a professional force, has been handling situation professionally as per its legal mandate. "It is absolutely incorrect to say that Police act under any pressure what so ever. It is also incorrect to suggest that complains are not registered at police station. In police station, there is a well established mechanism to address complainants including women help desk and public facilitation officer to facilitate complainants," he said.